Thiel: Sherman on race, police and speaking up

Offering unprompted his views on the wrenching topic of police work in minority communities, Seahawks Richard Sherman again shows why he’s admired by so many.

Richard Sherman, here at a Super Bowl media session in Phoenix, offered up more than football Wednesday. / Art Thiel, Sportspress Northwest

Never one to shy from changing the conversation, CB Richard Sherman interrupted the lathering for another Packers-Seahawks clash of the behemoths Sunday night to introduce a bit of social consciousness. Not sure he moved the needle on Black Lives Matter movement, but he did correct the minutes and demonstrated that athletes with conviction should feel free to clear their throats.

He strongly but calmly denied authorship of the post and directed his larger dismay at Atlanta BLM activist King Noble, who posted a photo of Sherman and Marshawn Lynch captioned with a racist threat.

“There’s some relevant things in that post that I agree with,” he said. “There were also some ignorant points in there. I don’t advocate at any time an all-out war against police. I thought that was an ignorant statement.”

Sherman was raised in Compton, CA., where he bore intimate witness to the sort of episodes that inspired national protests in numerous American cities this summer.

“As a black man, I do understand that black lives matter,” he said. “I do stand for that. I believe in that wholeheartedly. But I also think there’s a way to do things, and I think the issue at hand needs to be addressed internally (in the African-American community).

Sherman lamented the polarization of reactions to the fatal shootings of black men of police.

“There’s s lot of dealings with police officers right now,” he said. “I don’t think all cops are bad. There’s some great cops out there who do everything in their power to uphold the badge and the honor to protect people. But there are bad cops. That also needs to be addressed.

“It’s a perfect time to deal with it. Everybody is being more accepting. The ignorance should stop. People should realize at the end of the day, we’re all human beings. Before we are black, white, Asian, Polynesian or Latino, we’re human. It’s up to us to stop it.”

Sherman’s appeal to everyone’s better nature is hardly provocative, but the overall topic is fraught with peril for public figures who risk irking one or all sides of their constituency. Sherman simply doesn’t care about that risk.

“I’m just a football player, who am I to say anything?” he said in response to a question about using his platform for social issues. “As long as people are watching who respect my opinion, I’m going to give it. I think it’s incredibly important to have people understand that. Let’s celebrate humanity, but (instead police are often) racially profiling people.”

Long an admirer of boxing great Muhammad Ali, whose unabashed views on race and politics made him a polarizing figure in America for two decades, Sherman, as Ali, was unconcerned about backlash.

“I think I’m past the point where alienation, and dealing with controversy and opinion, matter,” he said. “I believe in what I say. I’m not being bold or disrespectful. I’m not saying anything that is, in my opinion, controversial — if it’s something I believe in.

“Sometimes you have to try to use your platform in the best way possible. It’s not always (about) advertising and marketing for (sponsors). Sometimes it’s for speaking for what you believe in. Nobody is going to agree with everything you say. You have to stand by what you believe.

“If that turns off an advertiser or company, then . . . more power to them.”

Asked why more athletes seem to lack the public courage of their convictions, Sherman said, “I’m not scared to be judged. I’m not afraid to be criticized. Because I’m OK with who I am. I’m OK with people judging my character.

“Some people are afraid to deal with that. Whether on or off the field.

“If we did have more guys speak out, we’d be in a better place as a society.”

That might be true, although how many professional athletes are as thoughtful and confident in matters beyond sports as Sherman, is hard to say. But the fact that the Seahawks, and Seattle, have Sherman’s forthrightness and courage is an asset that should inspire gratitude.

YourThoughts

Tim

I love forward thinking Richard Sherman. Rare is the athlete willing to take a stand on anything. Already he’s called out Goodell for his tolerance of the Redskins caricature as proof that institutional racism is alive and well in the NFL which is not a popular position among many fans. Bravo Richard. Because of you, I’m even more proud to be a 12. Now, when you start talking about Nike Sweat shops you’ll really have our attention!

art thiel

Now there’s a tough subject for an athlete . . . .

Jeff Shope

oh shut up about the redskins there are hundreds of tribal high schools with redskins as their mascot people are getting tired of race always being used as an excuse to be morons

notaboomer

racist

art thiel

Speaking of morons . . .

canyudigit

Hey, nobody’s asking you to be part of the solution regarding society’s sensitive subject. Would be nice if you could refain from being part of the problem though. Try this…..shhhhhhhhhh. Hoping you have a better day bud.

how about sherman and bennett shut up and play ball sherman got smoked for a td and bennett had yet another game with more offsides penalties than sacks

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art thiel

How about you having a little more appreciation for things besides ball?

Effzee

you must have thought Mohammed Ali was just an annoying blowhard. shut up and and fight, right? i hope you complain just as hard when the NFL and TV networks shove pro-war, pro-military propaganda down your throat throughout every broadcast with armed forces commercials, honoring fallen soldiers, pre-game military jet flyovers, invoking the name Pat Tillman, etc….

MacPhisto92

I love you Sherm, and I know you’re a bright guy…but I don’t tune into sports to hear athletes talk about politics. Dribble, pass, shoot, dunk, throw, catch the ball and hit people..got it guys? That’s what I spend my cash on…I have FOX News for everything else.

notaboomer

give the sheeple what they want!

art thiel

Other people may actually find worthwhile the non-football thoughts of those they hold in high regard. That OK?

MacPhisto92

Sure that’s ok. Where and when did I speak for anyone but myself?

Will Ganschow

If you have Fox News, where do you get your news from?

MacPhisto92

what a zinger that was….

MrPrimeMinister

I wouldn’t give any more credence to richard’s views of political issues than I would to paul Krugman’s analysis of a pulling guard full back trap run play up the middle.

art thiel

What if it’s not politics, but personal?

MrPrimeMinister

As far as i know Richard is not native american.

art thiel

Didn’t say he was. I think you are mixing your weak arguments.

Will Ganschow

Might be your new best column. Love Richard Sherman. Hope he is always a Seahawk. Spent a couple of hours with Ali back in the seventies, driving Taxi in Chicago

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Kirsten Kendrick's Q. & A. with Thiel can be heard every Friday during Morning Edition at 5:35am and 7:35am and again that same day on All Things Considered at 4:45pm. It also airs Saturday at 6:35am and 9:35am.